Is there a reason Perry can’t just call out the National Guard himself? I thought that was within a governor’s power.
What he really ought to do is restore the Texas Republic and secede, but above everything else, Perry wants to be president. He won’t do anything that would jeopardize his chances.
my question is the same as posters 2 and 3….why can’t Perry just do it?
“Is there a reason Perry can’t just call out the National Guard himself? I thought that was within a governor’s power.”
Yes, the governor of Texas can use the Texas Army National Guard for this issue. However, if he does, it is a “state” issue and must be PAID FOR BY THE STATE. Even big Texas could not afford to pay for a large number of soldiers placed on active duty for state matters for any length of time. A state cannot afford to pay for a large standing military.
Most folks do not understand that even National Guard troops, except for maybe the state’s adjutant general, are paid for by the federal government....even the weekend drills come from federal monies. So, in reality (monetarily), a state doesn’t really own its national guard.
Yes, the somewhat remain nominally under the control of a governor, but if he/she cannot pay for their (non-federal) use, then what good are they?
Also, IF the governor should call up, on state duty, his national guard soldiers, the POTUS can “federalize” the troops and take control from the governor if he/she chooses to do so.
At that point Obama could federalize the guard and do whatever he wants with it
If Obama calls up the guard, the feds pay. If Perry called it up, we Texans have to pay.
Texas has spent $500 MILLION in the past decade protecting the border...a federal responsibility!
“What he really ought to do is restore the Texas Republic and secede, but above everything else, Perry wants to be president. He won’t do anything that would jeopardize his chances.”
He has little chance of being President.
As for secession, that’s just another one of those areas where Texas and Texas politicians are not going to walk the talk. I think a national divorce is probably in the cards whether we like it or not. But I doubt Texas will be the first to head for the exit.
AFIK - Perry can call up the Texas National Guard.
He is blowing smoke with this “I want Obama to do it.”
He could even make the Feds pay, if he thought about it.